Nozzle apparatus of dishwasher

ABSTRACT

A nozzle apparatus of a dishwasher including a washing nozzle configured to inject washing water onto targets to be washed, a water supply passage part for allowing the flow of washing water supplied to the washing nozzle, a drain passage part for allowing the flow of washing water to be drained, and a siphon preventing portion configured to prevent a siphon phenomenon from occurring on the drain passage part, whereby a space required for configuring a drain passage and a siphon phenomenon preventing structure can be minimized so as to maintain the dishwasher in a compact size and improve the space utilization.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in priority Korean Application No. 10-2007-0090133, filed on Sep. 5, 2007, which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a dish washer, and more particularly, a nozzle apparatus of a dishwasher.

2. Background of the Invention

A dishwasher is a machine for washing garbage remaining on a dishware (e.g., dishes, cups, bowls and the like) by injecting a high pressure of washing water onto the dishes contained in a wash tub or washing chamber. Such dishwasher is configured such that dishes are washed off using washing water containing detergent and the washed dishes are dried.

Such dishwasher has a drain passage for discharging washing water out of the wash tub. Washing water pumped by a drain pump can be discharged to the outside via the drain passage. The drain passage has a structure for preventing a siphon phenomenon.

However, the related art dishwasher disposes the drain passage at a separately independent space within the dishwasher, for example, at lower and rear sides of the wash tub of the dishwasher, which may degrade a space utilization of the dishwasher, such as decreasing the size of the wash tub.

Such degradation of the space utilization lowers the product performance, particularly, for a small dishwasher, or does not maintain the size of the small dishwasher to be compact.

In addition, the limitation on the space of the small dishwasher makes it difficult to implement a separate structure for preventing a siphon phenomenon on the drain passage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle apparatus of a dishwasher having a structure capable of minimizing a space for forming a drain passage and a siphon phenomenon preventing structure.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a nozzle apparatus of a dishwasher including a washing nozzle configured to inject washing water onto targets to be washed, a water supply passage part through which washing water supplied to the washing nozzle flows, a drain passage part through which washing water to be drained passes, and a siphon preventing portion configured to prevent the siphon phenomenon at the drain passage.

In one aspect of the present invention, the nozzle apparatus of the dishwasher is configured such that the water supply passage part, the drain passage part, the siphon preventing portion and the washing nozzle are implemented as one unit, so as to minimize a space required for forming the drain passage and the siphon phenomenon preventing structure. Thus, the dishwasher can be maintained in a compact size, and the space utilization thereof can be enhanced.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a dishwasher in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a front side of a nozzle apparatus in the dishwasher in accordance with the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view showing that washing water is supplied from the nozzle apparatus to a water supply passage part in the dishwasher in accordance with the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view showing that washing water is supplied from the nozzle apparatus to a drain passage part in the dishwasher in accordance with the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a view showing the operation of a siphon preventing hole of the nozzle apparatus in the dishwasher in accordance with the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Description will now be given in detail of a nozzle apparatus of a dishwasher in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a dishwasher in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a dishwasher 100 in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a wash tub 110 installed inside a casing 101, a door 102 for opening/closing the wash tub 110, and a rack 103 installed in the wash tub 110 for containing a dishware (e.g., dishes, cups, bowls, and the like).

Also, the dishwasher 100 may further include a sump 106 installed in a lower portion of the wash tub 110 for containing washing water, an impeller 107 configured to pump the washing water contained in the sump 106, and a washing motor 108 for driving the impeller 107.

The dishwasher 100 may further include a nozzle apparatus 200 and a rotary nozzle 104 all for injecting washing water pumped from the sump 106 onto the dishes to be washed. The nozzle apparatus 200 is fixed to a rear side of the wash tub 110 to inject washing water onto the dishes. The rotary nozzle 104 is rotated by an injection pressure of the washing water below the rack 103, thus to inject washing water onto the dishes. By injecting the washing water, garbage on the dishes can be removed and thusly the dishes can be washed up.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a front side of a nozzle apparatus in the dishwasher in accordance with the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the nozzle apparatus 200 in the dishwasher according to the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a washing nozzle 210 and a coupling portion 220. The washing nozzle 210 includes a headwaters pipe 211, tributary pipes 212 and injecting holes 213. The coupling portion 220 includes a siphon preventing hole 230, a water supply passage part 240 and a drain passage part 250.

The washing nozzle 210 is an element for injecting washing water supplied from a washing pump onto the dishes to be washed.

In detail, a supply piping (not shown) to which the washing water is supplied from the washing pump is connected to a washing water inlet 241, such that the supplied washing water is introduced via the washing water inlet 241. The washing water introduced via the washing water inlet 241 flows upwardly via the water supply passage part 240, which can be implemented due to a pressure by the washing pump. The water supply passage part 240 configures a water supply passage for allowing the flow of the washing water.

Such washing water raised through the water supply passage 240 then flows upwardly via the headwaters pipe 211 connected to the water supply passage part 240.

The headwaters pipe 211 is formed in an approximately longitudinal direction. A plurality of tributary pipes 212 extend from the headwaters pipe 211 in an approximately horizontal direction. The tributary pipes 212 communicate with the headwaters pipe 211. Thus, the washing water flowing upwardly along the headwaters pipe 211 can be introduced into each of the tributary pipes 212.

The headwaters pipe 211 and the tributary pipes 212 are provided with a plurality of injecting holes 213. The injecting holes 213 are configured to inject washing water supplied via the water supply passage part 240. Such washing water injected through the injecting holes 213 beats on the dishes, targets to be washed, and accordingly the dishes can be washed up.

In this one exemplary embodiment, it is described that the washing nozzle 200 is fixed to a wall surface of the wash tub 110. Accordingly, the injecting holes 213 can be formed to have an angle for smoothly injecting washing water from the washing nozzle 200 onto the dishes.

Here, the washing nozzle 200 is described as being fixed to the wall surface of the wash tub 110; however, it is merely illustrative. That is, the washing nozzle 200 may be configured to rotate with respect to the wall surface of the wash tub 110.

On the other hand, the coupling portion 220 is provided with the drain passage part 250 disposed at one side of the water supply passage part 240. The drain passage part 250 is divided from the water supply passage part 240 by a partition wall. The drain passage part 250 configures a drain passage for discharging washing water to be drained to the outside after the completion of washing.

The drain passage part 250 is provided with an inlet 254 connected to a drain pump. Washing water introduced via the inlet 254 flows upwardly via an inlet portion 251. The washing water flown through the inlet portion 251 flows downwardly along an outlet portion 252, thus to move down to an outlet 255. The outlet 255 is connected to a drain pipe (not shown) for draining washing water to the exterior, so as to allow such washing water to be discharged to the exterior.

A connecting portion 253 is disposed between the inlet portion 251 and the outlet portion 252 such that the drain passage part 250 can be formed to be a to inverted ‘U’-shaped pipe. Thus, the drain passage configured in the drain passage part 250 is formed to be the ‘U’-shaped pipe, to thusly allow washing waster to be drained to flow up and down.

In this one exemplary embodiment, the drain passage part 250 is divided from the water supply passage of the water supply passage part 240, thereby to configure the drain passage for draining washing water. Also, the drain passage part 250 is configured integrally with the water supply passage part 240. In addition, the drain passage part 250 is provided with a siphon preventing hole 230 for preventing an occurrence of siphon phenomenon on the drain passage.

The siphon preventing hole 230 communicates the drain passage with an outside of the drain passage part 250. The siphon preventing hole 230 can prevent the occurrence of the siphon phenomenon on the drain passage part 250. The siphon preventing hole 230 is positioned uppermost at the coupling portion 220.

The coupling portion 220 is provided with hole forming portions 260, which have coupling holes 261. The coupling holes 261 have screw threads in which separate coupling members, for example, screws are inserted.

Thus, the coupling portion 220 couples both the water supply passage part 240 and the drain passage part 250 to the wash tub 110 of the dishwasher by the coupling holes 261.

As such, by configuring the drain passage part 250, which is partitioned from the water supply passage of the water supply passage part 240 to drain washing water, integrally with the siphon preventing hole 230 for preventing the occurrence of the siphon phenomenon on the drain passage, a space required for implementing the drain passage and the siphon phenomenon preventing structure can be minimized. Therefore, the dishwasher can be maintained in a compact size and its space utilization can be improved.

FIGS. 4 to 6 are views showing the operation of the nozzle apparatus of the dishwasher in accordance with the one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing that washing water is supplied from the nozzle apparatus to the water supply passage part in the dishwasher in accordance with the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a view showing that washing water is supplied from the nozzle apparatus to the drain passage part in the dishwasher in accordance with the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a view showing the operation of the siphon preventing hole of the nozzle apparatus in the dishwasher in accordance with the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the operation of the nozzle apparatus of the dishwasher in accordance with the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

As shown in FIG. 4, washing water to be injected is supplied to the nozzle apparatus 200. The washing water is supplied from the washing pump to flow upwardly via the water supply passage part 240. Such washing water is injected on the dishes to be washed via the injecting holes 213 of the washing nozzle 210.

The operation of draining washing water from the nozzle apparatus 200 is shown in FIG. 5. The washing water to be drained is introduced in the inlet portion 251 from a drain pump. The washing water introduced in the inlet portion 251 then flows upwardly along the inlet portion 251, passes through the connecting portion 253, and flows downwardly along the outlet portion 252.

FIG. 6 shows that the siphon phenomenon is prevented when completing the draining in the nozzle apparatus 200. At the draining process as shown in FIG. 5, the draining may continuously be performed by the siphon phenomenon after the completion of the draining.

In this one exemplary embodiment, external air is introduced via the siphon preventing hole 230 formed on the drain passage part 250, thus to prevent such siphon phenomenon.

In the nozzle apparatus of the dishwasher in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, by configuring the drain passage part 250, which is partitioned from the water supply passage of the water supply passage part 240 to drain washing water, integrally with the siphon preventing hole 230 for preventing the occurrence of the siphon phenomenon on the drain passage, a space required for implementing the drain passage and the siphon phenomenon preventing structure can be minimized. Therefore, the dishwasher can be maintained in a compact size and its space utilization can be improved.

The present invention has been explained with reference to the embodiments which are merely exemplary. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A nozzle apparatus of a dishwasher comprising: a washing nozzle configured to inject washing water onto targets to be washed; a water supply passage part configured to allow the flow of washing water to be supplied to the washing nozzle; a drain passage part configured to allow the flow of washing water to be drained; and a siphon preventing portion configured to prevent a siphon phenomenon from occurring on the drain passage part.
 2. The nozzle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water supply passage part is connected to a lower portion of the washing nozzle.
 3. The nozzle apparatus of claim 2, wherein the drain passage part is disposed adjacent to the water supply passage part.
 4. The nozzle apparatus of claim 3, wherein the water supply passage part and the drain passage part are integrally formed, and divided from each other by a partition wall.
 5. The nozzle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drain passage part comprises an inlet portion in which washing water to be drained is introduced, an outlet portion through which washing water introduced via the inlet portion is discharged, and an intermediate portion connecting the inlet portion to the outlet portion, wherein the intermediate portion is positioned upper than the inlet portion and the outlet portion.
 6. The nozzle apparatus of claim 5, wherein the drain passage part is formed to be a inverted ‘U’-shaped pipe.
 7. The nozzle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the siphon preventing portion includes a hole for communicating the inside of the drain passage part to the outside thereof.
 8. The nozzle apparatus of claim 5, wherein the siphon preventing portion is disposed on the intermediate portion.
 9. The nozzle apparatus of claim 8, wherein the siphon preventing portion is positioned uppermost at the intermediate portion.
 10. The nozzle apparatus of claim 9, wherein the siphon preventing portion includes a hole formed through the uppermost portion of the intermediate portion so as to communicate the inside of the drain passage part to the outside thereof.
 11. The nozzle apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a coupling portion configured to couple the nozzle apparatus to the inside of the dishwasher.
 12. The nozzle apparatus of claim 11, wherein the coupling portion is formed at the water supply passage part.
 13. The nozzle apparatus of claim 11, wherein the coupling portion is formed at the drain passage part.
 14. The nozzle apparatus of claim 11, wherein the coupling portion includes coupling holes in which screws are inserted, the nozzle apparatus being fixed by the screws inserted in the coupling holes.
 15. The nozzle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nozzle apparatus is installed at an inner side wall of the dishwasher. 